Nasty, ugly algae is on the rise this summer, as predicted in the MEC report, Something's Amuck: Algae blooms return to Michigan shores, released in June and carried by publications, television stations and radio outlets nationwide.

State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) officials said in late July they had received requests for multiple copies of the report. It traces the history of Great Lakes algae troubles and illustrates how invasive species, combined with legal loopholes that encourage phosphorus pollution, have opened the door for an algae comeback.

The report calls for increased research into the connection between algae growth and zebra/quagga mussel infestations and for tougher restrictions on the use of phosphorus, which stimulates algae growth. Phosphorus is widely used in fertilizers even though most residential yards have more than enough phosphorus anyway. It also is used in dishwasher detergents even though it was strictly limited decades ago in laundry soaps.

The June 15 release of the report was carried by the Associated Press national wire, where it was picked up by dozens of news outlets, including the Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, Forbes.com, Fox News, Salon.com and ABC.

The report is available online at www.mecprotects.org/algae062006.pdf.